Company:     Sage CRM Solutions

Location:       Scottsdale, AZ

Type:              permanent

Duration:       n/a

Salary:           $75K – $77K

Overview

Sage CRM Solutions include flexible and robust customer relationship management (CRM) solutions and a contact and customer manager—Sage ACT!, Sage SalesLogix, and SageCRM—developed to fit the needs of small and midsized businesses. More than 63,500 businesses and 3.1 million users worldwide rely on Sage CRM Solutions to develop profitable, long-term business relationships. Sage CRM Solutions is located in Scottsdale AZ.

Responsibilities

• Unique opportunity to create and deliver training for a world-renowned Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. CRM experience is desired but not required
• Candidate will be responsible for developing training courses, facilitating online classes, recording videos to demonstrate product use, and creating assessments to test comprehension
• Instructional design, technical training, and e-learning experience required
• Must demonstrate exceptional content development and presentation skills for online delivery
• Will communicate with partners and customers to determine training needs
• Will work on cross-functional teams and communicate across different levels of the organization
• Must be able to plan and execute work with minimal supervision, manage time effectively, solve moderately complex problems, and manage conflicting priorities
• Less than 10% travel, possibly international

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in technical writing, curriculum development, information technology, or educational technology
• Minimum 3 years experience in technical training and/or curriculum development required
• Experience with CRM, Web technologies, IIS, SQL Server, Captivate and Camtasia a plus

Resume Submittal

Please submit resumes to:

Malaika Hines, Recruiter

Malaika.hines@sage.com

Location:  Scottsdale

Type:  Contract

Duration:  4-6 months, with possible extension to 12-18 months

Hours:  Full-time, on site

Rate:  Contract Hourly, DOE

This is a W-9 position.  An executed non-disclosure agreement and contract will be required.  Invoices will be submitted twice-monthly to eInstruction’s accounting group.

Description

eInstruction is looking for a Contract Sr. Technical Writer who is an expert in RoboHelp/FrameMaker and has substantial experience creating user-facing documentation.

Working closely with the Technical Documentation Project Manager, the Sr. Technical Writer creates and revises user-facing documents for hardware and software products.  Primary deliverables are user guides, installation guides, and online help files.

The successful candidate must have the ability to grasp new-product functions, write documentation based on existing guides, work independently and as part of a team, create accurate and virtually error-free documents, and conscientiously meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Create a variety of user-facing documentation for new and existing products including online help files.
• Format and write documents to meet high company standards based on Chicago Manual of Style and eInstruction style guides.
• Insert and manipulate images, icons, and simple graphics from Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and PhotoShop. Create screen shots. Suggest images that would enhance usability.
• Obtain product information from hands-on learning, reading existing product literature, and from querying application development, product management, marketing, and executive team members.
• Revise existing documentation as required.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, juggling priorities as necessary.
• Publish final documents to multiple print and online formats.
• Maintain highest degree of confidentiality regarding eInstruction proprietary documentation.

Qualifications

Required:

• Strong PC skills, particularly FrameMaker, RoboHelp, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Technical Suite.
• Exceptional ability to pay close attention to detail and quality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of product managers and other subject matter experts.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally as part of a diverse team.
• Ability to manage and organize time effectively, determine priorities, meet deadlines, and move work along while maintaining high quality standards.
• Ability to think critically and with depth to anticipate potential outcomes and creatively solve problems.
• Ability to learn new software and interactive education technologies efficiently and effectively, including proprietary products.

Education:  2-year degree in Technical Communication, English, or another related field.

Experience:  3+ years of experience writing user-facing documentation including online help files.

Submit resumes by email to Sandi Drewitz, Technical Documentation Project Manager, at: sandi.drewitz@einstruction.com. No phone calls please.

Overview

Candidate will be responsible for developing and delivering technical training on Sage products to employees, customers and business partners. Experience with online presentation tools, social media, and video recordings for the purpose of training are necessary. Trainers serve as subject matter experts, collaborate on curriculum development, and teach a variety of disciplines including product installation, implementation, administration, and other courses. Approximately 20% travel may be necessary including international travel; a current passport is required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality product training in person or online using approved training curriculum and presentation tools
• Manage learner relationships and activities during and after class, researching, recommending, and training on new technologies and tools to ensure learning products keep pace with industry trends
• Assist with Sage customer and partner conferences to develop and deliver educational sessions
• Plan and execute work with minimal supervision
• Possess time management skills
• Solve moderately complex problems
• Manage conflicting priorities
• Demonstrate the ability to work well on cross-functional teams and collaborate with a team of peers
• Interact with customers and business partners and have occasional contact with Senior-level executives

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Associate degree or equivalent work experience with Windows, IIS, SQL Server, client/server architecture, networks, and web technology
•  Training and curriculum development experience is required
• Minimum of four to six years related experience delivering technical training to adult learners
• Prior experience with online training development and delivery is highly recommended

Apply here or submit resumes to Malaika Hines at Malaika.hines@sage.com.

Description

This writer will create online manuals.

Requirements

• RoboHelp
• FrameMaker
• AuthorIT
• An interactive writing style

Submit resumes to Ashley Miller at asmiller@teksystems.com.

Description
We are currently seeking a full-time, short-term contract Documentation Specialist to provide support to the lead technical writer for marketing and sales content as well as product management staff with various projects.

Required Skills

• Format provided content into existing templates
• Add marketing and sales verbiage to technical content for pre-sales documentation
• Write and create use cases, case studies and white papers
• Update or revise previously published documents as required or assigned
• Create, modify, or import illustrations and graphics that complement documentation
• Work with technical support team to create best practices and knowledgebase content
• Edit, proofread, and merge documentation reviews as needed

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree or 3-4 years equivalent experience in technical writing and communications
• Demonstrated competence in written and verbal communication with both technical and marketing content              
• Proficiency with word processing and presentation software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher and Visio 
• Able to work unsupervised and meet strict deadlines

Submit resumes to Rita Watz at rita@unicornmedia.com.

Description

• Review publications and recommend revisions and changes
• Consult with technical leads and subject matter experts to ensure common understanding of publications and related materials produced.
• Periodically audit and review material to determine format or content changes
• Remain current on new developments in technical writing, editing, and publishing of material
• Meet/exceed turnaround time standards and quality expectations
• Communicate effectively: express thoughts in a clear, concise and compelling manner in both individual and group situations; actively listen to others; adjust style to capture the attention of the audience

Required Qualifications

• Organize and write technical and business material using word processing software with respect to order, style, terminology and sequencing
• Proven success in development, review and implementation of standard operating procedures, work instructions and other technical documentation.
• Ability to plan and implement assignments; develop action plans and complete assignments in a timely fashion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Extensive background in development and review of technical/procedural documentation
• Well organized with the ability to effectively prioritize work
• Ownership and results driven
• Attention to detail 
• Able to handle high volume receipts within defined turnaround times coupled with excellent quality
• Proficient use Microsoft Office applications, e.g. Excel, Word, Visio 
• Proficient use of RoboHelp
• Ability to effectively work within a team
• Flexible in adapting to change
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and determine conclusions
• Ability to learn and apply increasingly complex concepts, policies and procedures
• Ability to effectively plan, prioritize, organize time and workload
• Skilled in identifying and solving issues and recommending process improvements
• Ability to work successfully in a deadline-oriented environment

Desired Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of Caremark system applications
• 6-8 years of healthcare experience
• Good understanding of Medicare Part D CMS guidance and Sarbanes Oxley practices
• Knowledge of claim adjudication principles

Experience

• 6+ years of specific technical, operating procedure and work instruction writing/editing experience required with college degree; 14 years related experience without a degree in training/writing/editing.

Education

• College degree required, preferably in English, Communications or technical writing field.

Please apply at: https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_jobdetail.asp?jobId=863939&partnerid=9379&siteid=37&type=search&JobReqLang=1&recordstart=1&codes=IND.

Description 

• Work in support of technical writers to author their text and graphics into XML/SGML-compliant formats as required for various projects
• Create and revise XML/SGML electronic files such as Arbortext and FrameMaker+SGML
• Populate databases for IETMs (interactive electronic technical manuals) or over web-based user interfaces

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Assist technical writers by authoring their content into XML/SGML-compliant formats
• Create XML/SGML files using Arbortext, FrameMaker+SGML, and other XML/SGML editors as required
• Access and populate XML/SGML databases or web-based user interfaces with text and graphics
• Validate and correct XML/SGML files for delivery
• Create and/or use macros, filters, programs, scripts, and LISP routines to automate content authoring
• Create files in accordance with required specifications such as S1000D, DITA, and MIL-STD-40051

Skills Required 

• US Citizenship (due to sensitive documentation)
• Proficiency in Arbor Text and FrameMaker+SGML
• Correctly use DTDs, FOSIs, XSLs, XLSTs, and Schema
• Working knowledge of SGML, XML, HTML, DTDs, XSL, XMetal and various web authoring tools
• Working knowledge of standards such as S1000D, MIL-STD-40051, and DITA
• Excellent work ethics and a strong desire to produce 100% accuracy in your deliverables
• Must be customer oriented and focused, demonstrate effective communication (verbal and written), and interact well with others
• Must be able to multi-task, maintain project deliverables, meet timelines, achieve commitments, and coordinate workload

Skills Desired 

• Prefer 3 or more years experience developing XML/SGML-compliant electronic data
• Keywords: XML, IETM, PDF, Authoring content, HTML, XSL, XSLT, XML editors, schemas, XSD, XPath, CSS, Javascript, jQuery, Perl, Python, XML Structure, CMS, DITA, S1000D, XML Documentation Developer, XML Developer
• Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance preferred but not required

Education Required 

• BS/BA degree or work equivalent plus a minimum of three years of related experience

Physical Requirements 

• Able to sit for long periods of time

Submit resumes here. 

This position is for a highly technical information development function where the primary deliverables are technical documents for product developers and end users.

Duties

• Analyze and develop technical content for customer design-in of Freescale silicon
• Generate technical content for internal and end-user documentation (reference manuals, user’s guides, architecture documents, application notes, data sheets (electrical/mechanical characteristics), and errata)
• Work closely with global, distributed product development teams and product marketing to resolve issues in customer documents, marketing collateral, tools-related collateral, and design specifications and produce supplementary material for customers
• Be able to receive, organize, and manage multiple project requests
• Work in compliance with corporate process and identity standards
• Serve as customer advocate on internal process/technical issues
• Be self-motivated and self-directed; take direction well from team leadership but require nominal daily supervision

Required Qualifications

• Semiconductor industry experience (hardware and software in computing and embedded markets)
• Strong written technical communication skills
• Proficient in English language and grammar
• Strong organizational skills
• Demonstrated experience with content management systems
• Expertise in single-sourcing concepts

Desired Qualifications

• BEE or similar (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, etc.)
• 3+ years relevant experience
• Advanced FrameMaker book techniques
• FrameMaker template design (creation and debugging)
• Structured/XML authoring
• Metadata use in closed repositories (for search and organization)
• HTML and basic Javascript
• DTD, Schema, CSS

Please submit resumes to:  mary.thomas@freescale.com.

http://www.freescale.com/.

To join this important new group, or for more information, contact Rich Magianni, committee chair. Email Rich at rich.maggiani@solari.net.

Description

• Design & review courseware for improvement and apply where appropriate prerecorded training videos and other supporting materials
• Create and facilitate user education classes for all software applications for both in-house and on-site locations
• Work with programmers and technical writer to ensure that course materials reflect current product releases and coincide with course content
• Maintain and publish the training calendar
• Maintain accurate records relative to the confirmation of each scheduled class
• Coordinate all internal employee training and facilitate new-hire training
• Publish a training report following each class
• Participate in the training manual and software documentation design review process
• Perform quality testing of all software applications
• Create, maintain, and publish monthly training performance statistics
• Ensure that the corporate training facility is properly maintained
• Complete other tasks and projects as assigned
• 25% – 35% travel required

Requirements

• BA/BS in Communications, Business, or equivalent
• Three to five years experience in facilitating user training in a software and technical environment
• Ability to interpret scopes of work to the system configuration
• Ability to effectively communicate conceptual complex issues to customers in a clear and concise manner
• Proven ability in designing and creating course outlines and content for new software packages, as well as in revising and improving existing courses
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal/written communications skills, and the ability to function effectively in a team environment
• Ability to remain poised under pressure with a high degree of diplomacy
• Knowledge of complex database packages and experience in working in a technical environment
• Telecom industry experience a plus
• Self-driven to excel in career
• Contribute to the success of the company

Tools Preferred

• Adobe Tech Comm Suite2, FrameMaker in particular
• Captivate

Please submit resumes to info@telesoft.com.

Our client is a leading provider of powerful business management solutions. They are seeking a Technical Writer for their User Assistance department. The successful candidate will join their team of enthusiastic professionals developing Help-focused content for the powerful customer-centric software offerings.

Primary responsibilities:

• Works on complex documentation projects requiring effective planning, scheduling, research, and writing in a fast-paced, agile software development environment
• Works with cross-functional project teams to design, develop, edit, and update procedural instructions for multiple audiences 
• Gathers and interprets technical data to support content development 
• Interviews subject matter experts and experiments with software to obtain technical and product knowledge 
• Verifies online help topics and other product documentation.  

Skills Required:

• 2-5 years of experience writing customer-facing materials in a software development environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• A positive and enthusiastic approach to technical challenges 
• Attention to detail and a drive for quality and innovation 
• An aptitude for simplifying technical content 
• The ability to manage multiple tasks and assignments 
• Experience with Flare, RoboHTML, FrameMaker, or comparable Information Design tools 
• Basic competence using the Microsoft Office product suite

Experience in one or more of the following areas is a plus: 

• Client Relationship Management software 
• Agile methodology 
• Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, C#, and/or JavaScript

Education required:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Please submit resumes to Bobby Stenson at bob@pegastaff.com or Rocio Bonilla @ rocio@pegastaff.com.

Communications Specialist (Writer and Editor)
Write, design, and publish information about Go Daddy products and services. A Communications Specialist is one part journalist, one part copywriter and one part technical writer. You’ll work as a liaison between departments to make sure we’re getting the right information at the right time to Go Daddy customers and employees.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned):
• Manage projects (both scheduled and impromptu) on a daily basis.
• Write and edit internal, corporate content, including:
       Company news
       Project updates
       Employee communication
• Write and edit content for Go Daddy customers, including:
       Customer emails
       Help articles
       Blog posts
       Guides and tutorials
• Interview product managers and subject matter experts
• Research and gather information about Go Daddy products and Web trends

Competencies:
• Outstanding writing and editing skills
• Exceptional interview skills
• Strong decision-making skills
• Successful project management skills
• Eye for design (design skills a plus)
• Familiarity with publishing tools/platforms (InDesign, Pages, Photoshop, WordPress)
• Comfort with managing multiple, aggressive deadlines   Education and/or Experience:
• 5 or more years of professional writing and editing
• Experience writing for multiple audiences
• Experience as a copy editor
• Communications-related degree

Why work for us?
• Founder and CEO Bob Parsons named 2007 recipient of the Arizona Business Leadership Award
• Ranked No. 8 on the Inc. 500 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the United States
• Ranked No. 20 on the 2005 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in North America
• GoDaddy.com Named 2004 Arizona Hot Growth Company, in a statewide competition sponsored by bizAZ magazine
• Best Places to Work; GoDaddy.com named as one of the best workplace environments by The Business Journal in 2004-2009

We provide:
• A fun, dynamic, and challenging work environment
• 100% paid medical and dental
• 3 weeks paid vacation in the first year
• Educational assistance
• Subsidized meals on-site
• 401k with matching employer funds

Go Daddy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer!  Interested in applying for this great opportunity with Go Daddy? Submit your application at https://www.hirebridge.com/v3/application/applink.aspx?cid=5475&jid=103806.

Certification will be possible for the following six areas:

• Authoring (content creation)
• Delivery
• Document design
• Project management
• Quality assurance
• User analysis

Read the article: A Monumental Day Dawns for Technical Communicators: Certification!

Plain Language Examples Needed

The Center for Plain Language is looking for examples of great communication…and for some that aren’t so great for new awards. Deadline for submission is Feb 15. Awards announcement will be April 29 in Washington DC.  See ClearMark Award.

For Usability Buffs

Interested in user experience design? Check these two resources:
»  Arizona chapter of the Usability Professionals Association
»  Rosenfeld Media

Style Guide

Of Read Me First! A Style Guide for the Computer Industry, Sun Microsystems says: “The must-have reference for every technical writer, editor, and documentation manager – now fully updated!” From Sun Technical Publications.

Font Conference

Take a few minutes to view “Font Conference,” a thoroughly delightful video from collegehumor.com. Make sure your sound is on.

Stickie Bingo for Better Course Design

Join us for a Webinar on October 29, 2009

Have you ever wanted to know an effective way to determine what information to include in your courses?  In this Webinar, you will learn how to identify tasks, steps, processes, objectives, and assessments for a specific job using a visual method that quickly derives results.

Highly Respected and Expert Presenter
Jane MacKenzie-Smith, is a Certified Performance Technologist from the International Society for Performance Improvement who has developed training for classroom, multimedia, and e-learning for most of her life.  As owner of JEM Communications, LLC (www.jemcommunications.com), she provides course design and workshops on instructional design and e-Learning.  She is the Past Manager of the Instructional Design & Learning (IDL) Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), a newly elected STC Fellow, and a popular presenter at STC events.

Your Investment
$20 IDL SIG member of the STC
$30 STC Member – Join the IDL SIG to break even on this Webinar, and save money on future Webinars.
$70 Non member - Consider joining the STC today. You can enjoy the valuable benefits of being an STC member, and receive great member pricing for this Webinar and others. http://www.stc.org/membership/

Sign Up Now!
Register for the time of day that fits your schedule. Please be sure to sign up for the correct time (day or evening) because we cannot switch you to the other Webinar time. Also, be sure to select “Show in My Time Zone” when registering.

• Day Webinar: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/227142842
  1:30 – 2:30 PM (Eastern Time); 12:30 – 1:30 PM (Central Time);
  11:30 – 12:30 PM (Mountain Time); 10:30 – 11:30 AM (Pacific Time)
• Evening Webinar: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/718996682
  8:00 – 9:00 PM (Eastern Time); 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Central Time);
  6:00 – 7:00 PM (Mountain Time); 5:00 – 6:00 PM (Pacific Time)

After registering, you will be directed automatically to a payment selection page. After paying, you will receive a confirmation e-mail within 2 to 3 days.

Session Materials and More
Several days before the Webinar you will receive an e-mail with login details and instructions for viewing session materials. After the Webinar, you will receive information for viewing the recorded Webinar.

System Requirements

Audio can be through either your computer (VoIP with a fast Internet connection, microphone, and speakers), or a long-distance telephone connection.  For more system requirements, see FAQs, Attending a Webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/en_US/island/webinar/support.tmpl.

Questions about This Webinar?

• Jane MacKenzie-Smith jane@jemcommunications.com
• Linda Stinger LindaStinger@comcast.net

Personally, I’m juggling dollars to come up with the dues. I’m probably going to take the four-month payment plan STC International is offering–a bit less painful that way. When I consider the value I’ve received from STC, especially the Phoenix Chapter, it’s a small investment in my career and potential earnings.

Yes, we’ve all experienced fewer dollars in our pockets this past year, some more than others. And, uncertainty regarding jobs, contracts, and potential employment has hit hard. But, things seem to be getting better. While not the great rush we’d like it to be, but there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

STC Phoenix has been good to me: jobs, friends, and opportunities for personal growth. It wasn’t given to me, I participate and I’ve earned it. Volunteering may not pay in dollars, it does pay in personal satisfaction and the potential to learn something new.

As you contemplate your renewal decision here are a couple articles for you to read. They may help:

• http://cybertext.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/making-the-case-for-renewing-stc-membership/
• http://www.scriptorium.com/blog/2009/10/a-mercenary-view-of-stc.html.
• http://www.hedtke.com/downloads/Of_Course!.pdf

I look forward to seeing you all at the November 10, 2009 Meet and Greet at the Duck and Decanter, Camelback & 16th Street.

Until then,

Karen L. Zorn
President, STC Phoenix

STC has reserved a private room at The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Phoenix. The address: 1418 N Central Ave, just south of McDowell Road on the west side of the street.

Order from a standard menu. Pay your own tab. And don’t miss the chance to chat up another attendee who just might have some news or information that could help advance your career!

Also, be sure to save August 11, 2009 for the next event. Details coming soon.

Meeting Information

Date/Time

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
5:30 – Networking; 6:00 – Dinner and networking

Dinner Options

Order from the standard menu; pay your own tab.

Please RSVP

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance by sending an email to arrangements@stc-phoenix.com.

by Ms. Grammar

Have you ever noticed sentences that begin weakly? One of the most commonly used, yet weak, starts to a sentence includes the word “there,” as in “There is something wrong with this sentence.”

When the word “there” used in this way, it is considered to be a function word that introduces the sentence. Ms. Grammar asks you, what is the benefit? Wikipedia explains that function words have little lexical meaning (or are ambiguous in meaning); they serve to express grammatical relationships with other words within a sentence, or specify the attitude or mood of the speaker.

While it is perfectly fine to start a sentence with “there” in some instances, in technical writing, you will almost always have stronger, clearer writing if you start your sentences in another way.

Consider the following examples – Don’t you agree that the suggested alternatives clearer and more direct?

» Weak: There are three possible solutions to the problem.

» Stronger: You can solve the problem in one of three ways. 
                        Or, Three solutions to the problem exist.

» Weak: There is a main reactor for the co-precipitation reaction.

» Stronger: A main reactor is used for the co-precipitation reaction.

Test yourself

Can you improve the following sentences?

1. There seems to be no alternative to our proposal.
2. There are four modes for primary system operation.
3. There are two parts to each query’s configuration, the Definitions query and Values query.

Stronger:

1. No alternatives to our proposal seem to exist.
2. The primary system can be operated in one of four modes.
3. Each query’s configuration consists of two parts, the Definitions query and Values query.